John 5:31-38: a reflection

31“If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid. 32It is another who testifies about me. I know that the testimony which he testifies about me is true. 33You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. 34But the testimony which I receive is not from man. However, I say these things that you may be saved. 35He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me. 37The Father himself, who sent me, has testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form. 38You don’t have his word living in you, because you don’t believe him whom he sent.

As Jesus points to the witnesses that testify to who he is, he reveals a striking thing about his purpose in speaking: he gives his testimony not for his own sake, but that his hearers may be saved. The testimony which I receive is not from man, Jesus says; however, I say these things that you may be saved. Jesus did not need human testimony or validation; he had the greater witness of the Father and of his own works. So why did he bother to reason with them, to point to the witnesses, to press his case? Not for his own sake, not to win their approval or defend himself, but that they might be saved. His concern in speaking was their salvation. This shows that Christ speaks and testifies not for his own sake but for our salvation. Christ speaks not for his own sake but that we may be saved. Jesus' concern in reasoning with them was their salvation. Christ does not need our approval; he seeks our salvation. Christ's heart in speaking to us is that we be saved.

Notice the reason Jesus gives for his testimony. He makes clear that he does not depend on human witness or approval; he has the far greater testimony of the Father and of the works the Father gave him to do. He needs nothing from his hearers, no validation, no approval. And so, why does he speak, reason, point to the witnesses, press his case with them? He tells us: I say these things that you may be saved. His purpose in speaking to them was not to win their approval, defend himself, or gain anything for himself, but that they might be saved. This reveals the heart of Christ toward us. He does not need us; he is complete in himself, with the Father's own witness. When he speaks to us, reasons with us, calls us, presses the truth on us, it is not for his own sake, not because he needs anything from us, but out of love, that we might be saved. His heart in all his dealings with us is our salvation, our good. This is a wonderful truth about Christ's love. He seeks us not for what he can get from us, but for our own sake, that we might be saved. We can receive his word, his call, his pressing of the truth, knowing that it flows from a heart that seeks our salvation. Christ's heart in speaking to us is our salvation, not his own gain. He does not need us, but seeks us for our own good. Receive Christ's word as flowing from love that seeks your salvation. Christ presses the truth on us that we may be saved.

That is worth resting in, for Christ speaks and testifies not for his own sake but that we may be saved, his heart set on our salvation. We can imagine that Christ needs something from us, our approval or validation; but Jesus made clear he needs no human witness, and that he speaks these things that we may be saved. His heart is our salvation. When Christ calls you and presses the truth on you, know that it flows from a heart that seeks your salvation, not his own gain. Rest in the truth that Christ speaks and testifies not for his own sake but that we may be saved, his heart set on our salvation, as Jesus, pointing to the witnesses that testified to who he was, made clear that the testimony he received was not from man but that he said these things that his hearers might be saved; for Jesus did not need human testimony, validation, or approval, having the greater witness of the Father and of his own works, so that when he reasoned with them, pointed to the witnesses, and pressed his case, it was not for his own sake, to win their approval or gain anything for himself, but that they might be saved, which reveals the heart of Christ toward us, that he does not need us but is complete in himself, and when he speaks to us, reasons with us, calls us, and presses the truth on us, it is not for his own sake but out of love, that we might be saved, his heart in all his dealings with us being our salvation and our good, a wonderful truth about his love, that he seeks us not for what he can get from us but for our own sake, so that we can receive his word, his call, and his pressing of the truth knowing it flows from a heart that seeks our salvation.

Lord Jesus, as you point to the witnesses that testify to who you are, you reveal a striking thing about your purpose in speaking: you give your testimony not for your own sake, but that your hearers may be saved. The testimony which I receive is not from man, you say; however, I say these things that you may be saved. You did not need human testimony or validation; you had the greater witness of the Father and of your own works. So why did you bother to reason with them, to point to the witnesses, to press your case? Not for your own sake, not to win their approval or defend yourself, but that they might be saved. Your concern in speaking was their salvation. Show me the reason you give for your testimony. You make clear that you do not depend on human witness or approval; you have the far greater testimony of the Father and of your works. You need nothing from your hearers. And so, why do you speak, reason, press your case with them? You tell us: I say these things that you may be saved. Your purpose was not to win their approval or gain anything for yourself, but that they might be saved. This reveals your heart toward me. You do not need me; you are complete in yourself, with the Father's own witness. When you speak to me, reason with me, call me, press the truth on me, it is not for your own sake, not because you need anything from me, but out of love, that I might be saved. Your heart in all your dealings with me is my salvation, my good. This is a wonderful truth about your love. You seek me not for what you can get from me, but for my own sake. Take that to my heart, for you speak and testify not for your own sake but that I may be saved, your heart set on my salvation. When you call me and press the truth on me, help me know that it flows from a heart that seeks my salvation, Lord, not your own gain, and receive your word as flowing from your love for me.